Below are newspaper reports of the experiences of 111 Henderson Co., Illinois
neighbors who went to California on two wagon trains from Oquawka, Illinois
during the 1849 Gold Rush. Included are entries from a "journal"
kept by a reporter for the Oquawka Spectator newspaper who
traveled with one of the wagon trains, who apparently both departed from Oquawka
on the 25th of March, 1850. The reporter's name was Edward H. N. Patterson,
a nephew of the owner of the newspaper, and he was on the same wagon train with
which Elisha Davis Jackson traveled, but a few days into the journey it appears
the train was split into two sections, and Patterson
continued his trip with the section in which E. D. Jackson and Capt. Pence
were not members. The name of E. D. Jackson appeared in
the first story in a list of members who were planning to make the trip from
Oquawka using a wagon drawn by oxen. His name also appears as "A. D.
Jackson" in a report published in the Oquawka Spectator
concerning another newspaper report published in the "Deseret News
of July 20 printed at Salt Lake City." The experiences of this other wagon
train were probably very similar to those on the train with which Elisha Davis
Jackson traveled, since it appears the two trains took nearly the same route and
under the same weather conditions. No record was found in this account, however,
of an "Indian massacre at Cherry Creek" outside of Salt Lake City as
was stated in the Bunce Genealogy and History as being part of E. D.
Jackson's experience. Mention was made of an attack made
by the Utah Indian tribe on the Snake tribe, which could possibly be the episode
remembered by E. D. Jackson. This record was kindly provided to me by
Richard A. Pence, whose ancestor was Capt. Robert T. Pence, head of
the wagon train with which E. D. Jackson traveled.

This is a transcript of Patterson's journal and a few other stories published
in the Oquwaka Spectator in the summer and fall of 1850. The
record was transcribed from microfilmed copies of the newspaper.

California Meeting

At a meeting of persons intending to emigrate to California, with Ox Teams,
the coming spring, held at the Court House on Saturday, the 23d inst. [Feb.],
Samuel Gordon, Esq. was called to the Chair and C. S. Cowan acted as Secretary.

On motion, Thirty six came forward, and enrolled their names for California.

On motion, Saml. W. Lynn, Joel Haines, & Robert T. Pence, were appointed
a Committee to prepare an estimate of the outfit necessary for the trip; said
committee to report at the next meeting to be held on Saturday the 2nd day of
March next, at 2 o'clock p.m. at the Court House at which time an election will
be held for officers.

At an adjourned meeting of Californians by ox teams, held at the Court House,
pursuant to notice, on Saturday the second day of March, 1850, J. W. Jones,
Esq., was called to the Chair and C. S. Cowan officiated as Secretary.

The committee, appointed at the last meeting to prepare an estimate of the
outfit necessary for the trip submitted the following (for each team four men to
a team).

On motion, the meeting proceeded to elect officers, consisting of one Captain
and two lieutenants, whereupon the following persons were elected. Robert T.
Pence, Captain; Isaac L. Morris, 1st Lieutenant, and Joel Haines, 2nd
Lieutenant.

On motion; W. L. Stockton, Saml. W. Lynn and David E. Roberts, were appointed
a committee to prepare By-Laws and Regulations for the Company.

Resolved, That we meet at Oquawka, on Monday the 18th inst. to commence the
journey.

Resolved, That the Editors of the Oquawka Spectator be
requested to publish the proceedings of this meeting.

On motion, the meeting adjourned.

T. I. A. Jones, Ch'n.
C. S. Cowan, Sec'y

California Emigrants

Below we give a list of the names of a number of our citizens from this town
and neighborhood, who have started for the gold regions. We wish them a
prosperous journey, and a realization in full fruition of all their golden
dreams, and a safe return to their friends.